A Bill To
Ban GMO Bans In Iowa Is Proposed(Beyond Pesticides, March 9, 2005) A bill
that would prohibit, or ban, local governments from banning genetically
engineered agriculture has been proposed in Iowa. The Bill has already
passed the Senate and is due to be introduced to House. Such a bill
would be the first of its kind.

Supporters of Bill
HF 202 (and Bill SSB#1144 in the Senate) claim that investment in
biotechnology by the U.S. is a matter of national security and therefore
this bill would enhance national security by providing an alternative
technology in the case of an agricultural collapse. Read a
letter of support recently sent to House.

Opponents of the
bill say its passage would be disastrous and prevent Iowa farmers from
creating GM-free zones. According to the Network
of Concerned Farmers, "These zones, which do not allow the
cultivation of genetically modified crops, are being created at an accelerated
rate on all continents, including the U.S. They provide farmers easier
access to the significant world markets that avoid the controversial
technology. GM markets continue to dry up with the consistent finding
that the more people learn about the technology, the less they trust
it. Now, even GM animal feed markets are shrinking overseas due to consumer
demand for GM-free meat."

The bill stands
in stark contrast to the movement of citizens across the country that
are imploring decision makers to ban the use of genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) in food. (See related
Articles.) A 2000 Reuters/Zogby consumer
opinion poll showed 33% of respondents thought farmers should not
be allowed to grow genetically modified crops.

A 2003
report showed that the planting of 550 million acres of genetically
modified corn, soybeans and cotton in the United States since 1996 has
increased pesticide use by about 50 million pounds.

TAKE
ACTION: Iowans! Contact your state representatives, sign
a pre-written letter at www.seedsofdeception.com/iowa
and tell them NO to this bill. Non-Iowans please forward this to your
Iowa friends. Or contact
the Iowa
House representatives directly and voice your opposition to this
bill.